Perrier Natural Mineral Water (some Superquinns, Terroirs Donnybrook, some selected Tescos and other outlets, 75 cl glass bottle rsp 79 pence)
Eau, mon Dieu, how terribly 1980s! Our tasters were shocked to discover that the water which emerged as their clear favourite was the begetter of the whole bottled water fad all those years ago - and one that's sometimes criticised for being over-carbonated. Still, they bubbled with enthusiasm about it. See Bottles of the Week.
Badoit Naturally Sparkling Mineral Water (75cl glass bottle, restaurants only). This lightly carbonated water which is madly popular with gourmets (its high level of bicarbonates is said to aid digestion) has a distinctly salty, minerally taste which makes it good with food. I love it.
Ballygowan Sparkling Irish Natural Mineral Water (very widely available, 2-litre plastic bottle rsp 89 pence, 1-litre glass bottle rsp 79 pence). The sparkler whose name has become a generic term for mineral water in Ireland emerged as lively, clean and invigorating, with light mineral overtones.
Ferrarelle Naturally Sparkling Mineral Water (K & C Norton, 75cl glass bottle 65 pence; also Mortons, Ranelagh, Douglas Food Co Donnybrook, some other retail outlets and many Italian restaurants). Italy's most popular sparkling water (but not the best known one abroad) is subtly effervescent and soft.